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The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll

From Jessica Knoll—author of Luckiest Girl Alive, the instant New York Times bestseller and the bestselling debut novel of 2015—comes a blisteringly paced thriller starring two sisters who join the cast of a reality TV series. One won’t make it out alive. So…who did it?

When five hyper-successful women agree to appear on a reality series set in New York City called Goal Diggers, the producers never expect the season will end in murder…

Brett’s the fan favorite. Tattooed and only twenty-seven, the meteoric success of her spin studio—and her recent engagement to her girlfriend—has made her the object of jealousy and vitriol from her castmates.

Kelly, Brett’s older sister and business partner, is the most recent recruit, dismissed as a hanger-on by veteran cast. The golden child growing up, she defers to Brett now—a role which requires her to protect their shocking secret.

Stephanie, the first black cast member and the oldest, is a successful bestselling author of erotic novels. There have long been whispers about her hot, non-working actor-husband and his wandering eye, but this season the focus is on the rift that has opened between her and Brett, former best friends—and resentment soon breeds contempt.

The Favorite Sister explores the invisible barriers that prevent women from rising up the ranks in today’s America—and offers a scathing take on the oft-lionized bonds of sisterhood, and the relentless pressure to stay young, relevant, and salable.

I know that when you read the synopsis of this book, you instantly think of “Real Housewives” or any of those other reality t.v. shows where the women will do anything to get what they want. And while this book is similar, it goes so much deeper than any reality show could ever attempt to go.

The beginning of this book is a little hard to get into. The characters are introduced so quickly, and its slightly hard to keep track with everyone. Plus, we’re seeing distorted reality since everyone is portrayed, or trying to be portrayed, in a certain light. As I read, I almost felt like I was watching the show, and trying to figure out what was true and what was not. No different than a viewer at home.

An aspect that this book touches on, and I’ve always thought this was true, was the manipulation that goes into reality television. When you think of a camera following someone nonstop, and then you realize you get maybe a 30-60 minute show, how much is tossed on the editing room floor? The public feels like they know the characters, when the truth can be so much darker than anyone could guess.

The show, “The Goal Diggers” follows successful business women. What’s interesting is that this show wants to inspire women to not follow the norms (marriage, kids, etc), and be successful for their own achievements. I didn’t necessarily mind that message but the characters do get a little preachy from time to time, and I admit it was difficult to like or root for any one particular person. I’d go from finding them amusing for how they could play the game to hypocritical to just hating them. Not much unlike when I watch reality television.

If you enjoy shows like “The Real Housewives”, “Pretty Little Liars”, or even “Mean Girls”, you would definitely enjoy this book. The drama is there, the twists keep you pulled in and the murder takes it over the top.